Barcelona are entering a decisive phase of their season, with the race for silverware intensifying and every remaining match taking on added importance. The quest for domestic honours is taking shape in the battle between Real Madrid, while the Copa del Rey offers a chance for more glory.
This Saturday afternoon at the Nou Camp, the Blaugrana host 14th-placed Mallorca with a golden opportunity to apply maximum pressure, moving four points clear at the summit before El Clasico rivals even kicks a ball against Valencia on Sunday.
The Catalans will face that challenge without one of their key players, who has not recovered in time for Saturday’s fixture. A player who has proved pivotal in the last 18 months proving his importance to the team and three points.
Raphinha misses out
According to Mundo Deportivo, Brazilian winger Raphinha has not recovered from his muscle overload injury in time to be fully fit for the upcoming clash.
It was confirmed that he failed to train with the group on Thursday and is expected to be rested this weekend, with the club instead targeting a return for next week’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg. It will come as a blow as luck has not been on Raphinha’s side this season.
After a late-year relapse turned a three-week absence into an eight-week layoff, the winger has once again been hit by the injury bug. His latest setback comes at the worst possible time, halting the momentum he had worked so hard to rebuild after his previous two-month recovery.
The absence of Pedri and Gavi continues to cast a shadow over Barcelona’s tactical and build-up play. With both midfield maestros yet to resume full training, Hansi Flick is forced to navigate this crucial juncture without his primary creative hubs. While the club remains hopeful for a "quicker than expected" recovery, the lack of an official return date suggests a cautious approach, leaving Flick to find alternative ways to link the play between the lines.
However, where the midfield looks lean, the forward line remains formidable. Flick boasts an embarrassment of riches in the final third, with Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Roony Bardghji all fit to play.
Despite the variety of attacking options available, the hierarchy on the left wing seems settled. Marcus Rashford is expected to get the nod for the starting XI, with his ability to stretch the Mallorca defence with direct running and explosive pace is seen as the perfect antidote to the Balearic side’s likely low block.